Here is what we think is the only comprehensive record of pubs and beerhouses within the Coventry city boundaries going back as far as available records allow. This is an ongoing project so contributions, corrections or additions to this archive, especially anecdotes, photos and media are most welcome. Feel free to contact us for a pint and a chat anytime.

The Bulls Head Inn

Bishop Street in the 1930's

An ancient and widespread sign which may have begun by referring to a Papal Bull, the leaden seal attached to the Pope's edicts. There may also be a heraldic reference in these signs. Many bull signs are also a reminder that bull-baitng took place. Some signs merely comment on the significance of this animal in farming terms. In nautical terms, a bull is a small keg and in earlier times another nautical expression was "to buill the cask". It meant to pour water into an empty cask, leave it for a while, then drink it.

Our first record of this pub is in 1754 when a letter was sent to Mrs Lightowler, near the Bulls Head in Bishop Street. In 1756 twelve soldiers were billeted here. In 1804 the Bull and Anchor was the meeting place of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire (Freemasons)

This was a home- brew pub that was bought by the Leamington Brewery (that is, Lucas, Blackwell & Co) in c 1886. The licensee between 1850 and 1861, Richard Morris, was also a malster, malting his own barley as well as brewing with it. In 1973 it became the ZODIAC.

Dict PN An ancient and widespread sign, which may well have begun referring to a Papal Bull, the leaden seal attached to the Pope's edicts. There may also
be a heraldic reference in signs. Many bull signs are reminders that bull baiting took place. Signs in market towns merely comment on the significance of
this animal in farming terms. Bull has one or two connections with drinking in certain colloquial expressions. In nautical slang a bull is a small keg. In
earlier times another nautical expression was to bull the cask or barrel. It meant to pour water into an empty cask, leave it there for a while, then drink
it.

Source 58 not to be confused with the BullsHead & Anchor, 37/38 Bishop Street